State lawmakers want to keep their cars (the ones you pay for)

December 3, 2010

California remains the only state in the nation to provide vehicles to its rank-and-file lawmakers for unlimited use and it’s a policy not likely to change in the near future. [AP]

The state purchases cars for lawmakers like Sam Blakeslee and Katcho Achadjian to drive around their districts and Sacramento under a decades-old program, spending more than $5 million for the latest suite of vehicles that includes a $55,000 Cadillac sedan and a $52,000 Lexus hybrid.

Lawmakers are enjoying the benefit at a time when the state is in a financial mess and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has called legislators into a special session next week to address a $6 billion deficit. Lawmakers already have cut programs such as adult dental care and health care programs for children from low-income families, and more cuts are likely on the way.

The compensation and benefits given to California lawmakers has come under intense criticism in the past year. Legislative officials fought an 18 percent cut in lawmakers’ pay and benefits in 2009 while other state employees were enduring three-day-a-month furloughs.

The reductions eventually were approved, along with lowering monthly vehicle allowances for lawmakers.

Taxpayers spent $3.5 million to buy the 99 vehicles lawmakers use when they visit their home districts.

The 80-member Assembly spent another $1.4 million to buy 49 Toyota Camry Hybrids for 51 lawmakers who live far from the state capital and use the vehicles when they are in Sacramento. The Senate, which has 40 members, spends an additional $81,000 a year to lease 25 vehicles for senators’ use in Sacramento.

Lawmakers pay a percentage of their vehicle’s cost – 10 percent for less expensive vehicles and more for higher-end models – through a payroll deduction. Taxpayers pick up the rest while also paying the gasoline costs for lawmakers, who are given state-issued charge cards.

The Legislature buys the vehicles outright, then leases them to lawmakers at a state-subsidized rate. The Legislature determines the amount lawmakers must pay above the monthly vehicle allowance, if any, and deducts that from their paychecks.

The Senate will review the vehicle program as it seeks to reduce its operating costs for the third consecutive year, Nathan Barankin, spokesman for Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, said Friday.

The comments below represent the opinion of the writer and do not represent the views or policies of CalCoastNews.com. Please address the Policies, events and arguments, not the person. Constructive debate is good; mockery, taunting, and name calling is not. Comment Guidelines

willie

FYI If they are governemnt vehicles, they do NOT pay for their own fuel (gasoline), nor maintainence, nor auto insurance!

Vote Up0Vote Down

12/06/2010 6:36 pm

willie

They are all in on this and never had any incumbent ever mentioned anything ever.

The go in there and make too many laws, regulation and policy, and never had any undone the web they or their predecessors have weaved.

And it goes on and on.

If they are not benefiting themselves, they are being rewarded indirectly by special interest or they are in to be priviledged to inside information that can get them indirectly rich.

It goes on forever and ever and we get old and it still goes on.

Vote Up0Vote Down

12/06/2010 10:50 am

whatisup

From the story:

The state purchases cars for lawmakers like Sam Blakeslee and Katcho Achadjian to drive around their districts and Sacramento under a decades-old program, spending more than $5 million for the latest suite of vehicles that includes a $55,000 Cadillac sedan and a $52,000 Lexus hybrid.

It is irresponsible to report this story without indicating if either of these lawmakers voted for this perk. If they did, shame on them. If they didn’t, shame on the reporter.

Vote Up0Vote Down

12/05/2010 7:05 am

srichison

Car allowances should be eliminated when the next legislature is seated. That way, they all have one term to determine whether they want the job under those conditions. As for political parties – the Dems have the majority and now have the ability to pass a budget with a majority vote. It’s ALL in their court now – no more whining about being obstructed.

Vote Up0Vote Down

12/05/2010 7:02 am

azuresees

Wow…By the way the writer posts this, it appears that Republicans are the ones working us over for this wasteful perk…Thanks for pointing that out! I’m certain that Democrats opt out of such self serving waste of my frikking pay check, or what’s left of it after all the other sacred **s cows in this state take my money from me to give to others.

Vote Up0Vote Down

12/04/2010 8:46 pm

fat chance

Those crooks never learn. Buy your your own f’ing car like the rest of us.